The following day, the sky was overcast, drizzling with fine rain.
However, the area in front of the Huo estate bustled with the noise of carriages and horses, an extraordinary liveliness.
In truth, this was no wonder. The Huos were the preeminent family of Jiangnan, and the old Huo patriarch was held in high esteem, a man whose stamp could make the provincial capital tremble thrice. Now, as he celebrated his eightieth birthday, naturally all of Jiangnan was abuzz.
Families of repute from Jiangnan province and even those from afar, like Yanjing, dispatched their direct descendants to attend the old Huo patriarch's banquet.
Many mid-sized and smaller families did not hesitate to spend a large sum of silver, purchasing invitations at a high price, viewing it as a supreme honor to elevate their family's status and prestige.
